WASHINGTON: Pakistan believes that there can be no economic development without a peaceful neighbourhood, says the country’s new ambassador to the United States.
The Pakistani government also believed that peace with India and Afghanistan was necessary for “effectively combating terrorism”, said Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jillani while addressing the participants at a Thursday afternoon gathering.
“The prime minister reached out to two most important neighbours, India and Afghanistan and this led to a reduction in hostilities,” said Mr Jillani.
He pointed to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s recent visit to New Delhi. The prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, met External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and these contacts have had “a very good impact” on the situation in the region, Mr Jillani noted.
On Thursday, Mr Jillani presented his credentials to the US State Department, and discussed various aspects of this bilateral relationship with Special US Special Representative James Dobbins.